Florene McCall Bilger

Florence McCall Bilger, age 82, died October 16, 2011 at her home in El Dorado, Arkansas, surrounded and supported by her many loving family members. She had been ill for several months, and was predeceased by her husband, Paul Cameron Bilger, who passed away May 22, 2008. Florence was born January 28, 1929, in Houghton, Michigan, one of three children in the family of John and Ivy McCall. She attended Michigan State University in Lansing, joining the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and earning a degree in education and chemistry. While at home during the summer of 1948, she met Paul Bilger, a young man studying at a nearby Michigan Tech University. As chance had it, they met and fell in love. They decided to do the mature thing and wait a few years to marry, but the Korean War began and "Uncle Sam" called him to military service. They immediately moved up their wedding date because they wanted to be husband and wife before he left with the military. They were married on December 27, 1950. After graduating from college, Florence taught school, but when Paul and she began a family, she chose to be a full-time mother. With six children at home, she happily sewed clothing, cleaned, cooked, and supported family activities with participation in PTA, Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls and Sunday school classes. Her bread baking was famous, and Mondays were "bread day," with as many as 16 loaves set out to rise, and her children's sack lunches were the envy of all their classmates. Her specialties include white and multigrain breads, French bread, rolls, coffee cakes - an amazing variety. The Bilger children never tasted "store-bought" bread unless eating at other people's houses. Florence has a passion for food and cooking and excelled in mastering the delicious flavors of all types of cuisines. In 1964, Murphy Oil Corporation transferred the from Superior, Wisconsin, to El Dorado, Arkansas, where she quickly became an active member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and joined the Altar Guild. During her many years of service, she fulfilled multiple roles, including her appointment as Diocesan Altar Guild Directress and serving on the National Altar Guild for four years. In addition, she served on the vestry and was a founding member of the St. Mary's chapter of Daughters of the King. She always felt that the St. Mary's congregation was warm and friendly, even to a "Northerner" like her, and she felt the joy of their love. Florence is survived by her children and their spouses: Michael and Shirley Bilger, Kathy and Phil Packard, Patti and Scott Simpson, Leigh and Steve Caldwell, Jim and former wife Sara Bilger, and John and Gina Bilger. Her grandchildren and spouses include Paul and Veronica Bilger; Courtney and Xon Post; Megan Packard; Cameron and Katie Packard; Amanda Simpson; Jessica and Guy Richards; Morgan and Maggie Bilger; and Jack, Ellie and Joseph Bilger. Her great-grandchildren are Henley Kate Post and Charlie Post. In addition, she is survived by her brother and sister-n-law, John and Nina McCall, and her sister, Ann Alexander. The Family would like to express great appreciation to Shonda Ratliff and Charla Cheatham for the wonderful care. Memorial services will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to St. Mary Episcopal Church Alter Guild, 512 Champagnolle, El Dorado, Ark 71730, (870) 863-7064, http://www2.arkansas.net/~stmary/ or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, (800) 822-6344, www.stjude.org. An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.